Prada Muses Throughout History

A look back at the women who inspire the influential Italian designer

By
Lilly Pace & Devin Hammond

Jun 21, 2019

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Miuccia Prada was born on May 10, 1949 in Milan, Italy as Maria Bianchi Prada. Although she was the youngest granddaughter of Mario Prada, a luggage designer to the Milanese elite, she did not enter the family business until she felt the company became stagnant in 1978. Previously, she attended the University of Milan where she was known as a feminist and member of the Italian Communist Party, received her PhD in political science, and trained as a mime at Piccolo Teatro. In 1985, she reimagined Prada merchandise with her own designs, most notably introducing black nylon bags with minimal labeling. Without any formal fashion training, Prada transformed her family business into a multibillion dollar fashion powerhouse. Ahead are the people who have most inspired Prada.

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Carla Bruni

The Italian-French supermodel was an early muse for Prada. One of the highest paid models of the '90s, Bruni walked numerous Prada runways and starred in multiple campaigns. Here, the two sit together during a 1994 fitting.

Before Gigi Hadid there was Amber Valletta. The American model is a longtime favorite of Prada, starring in multiple campaigns and runways since the '90s. She recently walked in Prada's Fall/Winter 2018 show. Here, Valletta in an iconic Spring/Summer 1997 campaign image.

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Naomi Campbell

The English supermodel has been one of the faces of Prada since the '90s. In 1997, Campbell was the first black model to open a Prada show. Here, Campbell walks in Prada's Spring 1992 ready-to-wear show.

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Uma Thurman

When the then relatively unknown actress attended the 67th Academy Awards in a lilac Prada gown, Thurman established herself as a fashion icon and ensured worldwide name recognition for Prada. Since her revolutionary look, red carpets have become launching pads for actresses to become stars.

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Sasha Pivovarova

Pivovarova is Prada's longest appearing model–starring in 19 advertisement campaigns. Even when taking breaks from the fashion week runways, the Russian supermodel has consistently kept up her relationship with Prada, starring in campaigns and attending shows. The model, pictured here, wears a knit look during the Fall/Winter 2007 ready-to-wear show.

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Karolina Kurkova

Kurkova caught the attention of Miuccia Prada shortly after getting signed to her first modeling agency at the age of 18. Before long, the Czech beauty was under an exclusive contract for Prada and Miu Miu, and has been walking for the brand ever since.

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Manuela Pavesi

The late Pavesi, thought to be Prada's right hand, was a frequent Prada collaborator, fashion coordinator, photographer, and stylist. She joined Prada in 2005. Beyond a professional relationship, the two were friends and often dressed alike. At Pavesi's funeral in 2015, Prada announced that Pavesi was her friend of 40 years.

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Lupita Nyong'o

The Us actress made headlines when she sported this icy blue Prada gown while accepting her Best Supporting Actress Award for 12 Years A Slave at the 2014 Oscars. The custom-made look was personally curated by Nyong'o's stylist, Micaela Erlanger. Post awards season, Miuccia Prada used Nyong'o as the face of Miu Miu alongside Elizabeth Olsen and Elle Fanning.

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Gemma Ward

In 2003, the sixteen-year-old Australian stunner made waves when she walked the Prada runway as an exclusive. After a seven year hiatus, she later made a comeback walking for the brand's Spring/Summer 2015 presentation in Milan. Ward has gushed about her love for collaborating with Miuccia Prada.

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Jenny Shimizu

Asian-American model Jenny Shimizu broke barriers through her relationship with Prada. Not only was she the first Asian model to walk the runway for the brand in 1994, but also the first person of color to open any of their shows.

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Daria Werbowy

In conjunction with the launch of a new Prada fragrance, Miuccia Prada selected Daria Werbowy to star in "Thunder Perfect Mind," an art film exploring elements of the female psyche. The film, directed by Ridley Scott, premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2005.

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Léa Seydoux

The captivating French beauty starred in Prada's original fragrance campaign, Prada Candy, in 2011. In addition to the ad, Seydoux lent her acting talents to Prada: Candy, a 3 minute short film directed by the whimsical Wes Anderson that's as sweet as the scent itself.

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Kris Grikaite

At the mere age of 16, Grikaite nabbed an exclusive contract with Prada for their Spring/Summer 2017 season, for which she agreed to cut her long locks into a short, signature bob. She's maintained star status as one of Prada's favorite models, headlining numerous runway shows and campaigns across the past two years.

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Willow Hand

OK, so Prada has a knack for scouting stunning sixteen year olds. The now 20-year-old got her big break when she opened the brand's Fall/Winter 2015 show in Milan in a knock-out chartreuse ensemble and high ponytail. She subsequently starred in the Pre-Fall 2015 campaign, and has been a regular fixture on their runway ever since.

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Lineisy Montero

The Dominican frontrunner made her career debut as an exclusive during Prada's Fall/Winter 2015 presentation, an enviable feat for nearly any fashion model. She's also the face of the brand's new Linea Rossa line, which mixes sleek sportswear with the timeless elegance that the Italian fashion house is known for.

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Anok Yai

The 21-year-old overnight sensation, who was discovered during a spring concert at Howard University, was tapped for the brand's Spring/Summer 2019 campaign by Miuccia Prada herself. Yai is also the second black model in history to open a Prada show, right behind Naomi Campbell in 1997.

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